Leica PlusXL User Manual

Operating Instructions

TM

PlusXL

Version 1.0.7

Copyright © 2003 by Leica Geosystems; All Rights Reserved

Leica DISTOTM PlusXL

Contents

Basics

Basics...................................................................................................................2

1. Preface..............................................................................................................3

2. About PlusXL...................................................................................................4

3. System requirements.....................................................................................4

Hardware........................................................................................................................4

Software .........................................................................................................................4

4. Installation .......................................................................................................5

5. Preparing the Leica DISTO™ plus to operate with PlusXL......................6

Working with PLUSXL™ on the Pocket PC

6. Starting PlusXL on the Pocket PC ...............................................................6

7. Setting up the Bluetooth connection...........................................................8

Special cases..................................................................................................................8

8. Excel-Workbooks and Excel-Templates .....................................................9

9. Transferring measured values into Excel.................................................10

10. PlusXL™ / Pocket-Excel function buttons..............................................11

11. Saving...........................................................................................................12

12. Synchronisation between pocket PC and desktop PC.........................12

Working with PLUSXL™ on the PC

13. Working with the desktop version of PlusXL.........................................13

PlusXL_Manual_1.0.7_en 2/15 28.01.2004

Leica DISTOTM PlusXL

BASICS

1. Preface

PlusXL™ is software that is supplied free-of-charge with the Leica DISTO™ plus Laser distancemeter.
PlusXL™ was developed by TBM-Solutions Becker on behalf of Leica Geosystems and is a good example of
effective communication between the Leica DISTO™ plus and pocket PCs.

PlusXL™ was designed for pocket PCs as well as for desktop PCs. The mobile version runs on pocket PCs
with Microsoft Pocket PC 2002 and Windows Mobile 2003 as well as on most pocket PCs with Microsoft
Pocket PC 2000 that support Bluetooth.

The desktop version is supported by Windows 98SE, ME, 2000 and XP with Bluetooth USB-adapters. For
more information, please refer to the product specifications issued by the manufacturer of the relevant
Bluetooth USB-adapter.
PlusXL™ enables writing measured data from the Leica DISTO™ plus directly to Pocket Excel or Excel.

Leica Geosystems grants no warranty on the functionality of the free-of-charge software and offers no support
for it.

Please contact TBM-Solutions Becker for any possible further development of the PlusXL™ or for other
software solutions regarding the Leica DISTO™ plus laser distancemeter and pocket PCs.

Any further developments must be approved by Leica Geosystems.

TBM-Solutions Becker
Hauptstrasse 18
D-55758 Mörschied

Tel.: [phone]
Fax: [phone]
[e-mail]
www.tbm-solutions.de

PlusXL_Manual_1.0.7_en 3/15 28.01.2004

Leica DISTOTM PlusXL

2. About PlusXL

PlusXL enables direct data transfer from the Leica DISTOTM laser distancemeter to an Excel cell. It is possible
to transfer data to a pocket PC (Pocket Excel) and to a desktop PC or laptop computer. Just by using the
directional leys on the Leica DISTOTM plus, the data field can be selected and the curser can be moved in all
directions in the EXCEL program, even diagonally.

After transferring the measured data into the selected Excel cell, the curser jumps horizontally or vertically to
the next field.

Templates can be prepared on the PC for the various tasks and transferred to the pocket PC. Excel then
performs the predefined calculation. Assigning names to the prepared rows and columns saves time when
measuring on-site.

PlusXL calls up Microsoft Pocket Excel. After closing PlusXL, the Pocket Excel program remains open on the
pocket PC and has to be closed before transferring data to the desktop PC.

3. System requirements

Hardware

Pocket PCs with Microsoft Pocket PC 2002 or Windows Mobile 2003 with integrated Bluetooth. Some pocket
PCs require special Bluetooth drivers; these drivers are available from the manufacturer of the pocket PCs. A
list of recommended pocket PCs and the current version of PlusXL are posted on the web-site

www.disto.com.

Most pocket PCs with Microsoft Pocket PC 2000, 2002 or Windows Mobile 2003 with Bluetooth extension e.g.
with the Bluetooth CF-card.

The desktop version of PlusXL requires a desktop PC with Windows 98SE, ME, 2000 and XP with Bluetooth
USB-adapter. Details can be found in the manuals of the manufacturer of the relevant Bluetooth adapter.

Software

Microsoft ActiveSync (for the installation on the pocket PC and synchronisation between pocket PC and
desktop PC). Microsoft ActiveSync is included in the delivery package of the pocket PC. The newest version
is found under www.microsoft.com.

Microsoft Excel (for the desktop version and for post- editing Pocket Excel files on the PC).

PlusXL_Manual_1.0.7_en 4/15 28.01.2004

Leica DISTOTM PlusXL

4. Installation

Insert the PlusXL-CD in the CD-drive. Start the installation of PlusXL by double clicking on the PlusXL­Setup.exe file (in Explorer) and follow the instructions displayed on the monitor:

1. Select the desired language and click "OK“ (screenshot 1).

Screenshot 1

2. Select from the next screen whether the pocket PC version, the desktop version or both versions
(default) should be installed (screenshot 2).

3. If the pocket PC version is to be installed, please establish an ActiveSync-connection between the
pocket PC and desktop PC.

4. Click on "Install“ and when prompted about the installation of the pocket PC version, confirm by
clicking on "Yes“ or "OK“.

Screenshot.2

PlusXL_Manual_1.0.7_en 5/15 28.01.2004

Leica DISTOTM PlusXL

Switches the DISTO on and off. If the DISTO is in the second function level, this

Starts up Bluetooth. The B

luetooth icon is displayed on the DISTO and flashes.

Switches between function levels. "2nd" is displayed when the DISTO is in

the

5. Preparing the Leica DISTO™ plus to operate with PlusXL

(Refer to section 6: "Starting PlusXL on a pocket PC“)

key has a different function (see above). To switch the DISTO off, it first must be
switched into the first function level.

second function level which is required to operate with PlusXL.

USING PlusXL ON A POCKET PC

6. Starting PlusXL on a Pocket PC

Before starting PlusXL for the first time, the Bluetooth connection between the Leica DISTO™ plus and the
pocket PC has to be established. The procedure is found in the documentation of the pocket PC (if Bluetooth
is integrated) or in the Bluetooth CF-card documentation. When the connection has been established, PlusXL
can be started.

Switch on the DISTO, activate Bluetooth and switch it to the 2nd function level with
Details can be found in the DISTO manual and in section 5 "Preparing the Leica DISTOTM plus to operate with

PlusXL“. Bluetooth must be activated on the pocket PC. There are various ways to switch Bluetooth on and
off (e.g. on a HP iPAQ with the Bluetooth icon located on the lower right corner (screenshot 3) or from the
Settings menu. Alternatively, click on the Bluetooth icon located in the "Start | Settings | System“ menu).

There are indicators on the pocket PC that show when Bluetooth is activated. E.g. on a HP iPAQ, the
Bluetooth icon on the lower right is blue and the LED on the pocket PC casing flashes blue.

Please make sure how an active Bluetooth connection is indicated on your pocket PC.
Important: Before starting PlusXL, Bluetooth must be switched on! Before the first start up of PlusXL, the

Bluetooth connection between the Leica DISTOTM plus and the pocket PC must be established.

PlusXL_Manual_1.0.7_en 6/15 28.01.2004

Leica DISTOTM PlusXL

Screenshot 3 Screenshot 4

Click on "Start | Programs“ (screenshot 3). Various program icons are displayed. Select the "PlusXL" icon
(screenshot. 4) and start the program. After the program had been started once, a click on the small PlusXL
icon (in screenshot 3 under the start icon) also starts the program.

PlusXL_Manual_1.0.7_en 7/15 28.01.2004

Leica DISTOTM PlusXL

7. Setting up the Bluetooth connection

When PlusXL is started, the Bluetooth connection between the Leica DISTO™ plus and the pocket PC is
automatically established. In this case, the Leica DISTO™ plus beeps once. Then the Bluetooth icon on the
DISTO stops flashing and the Bluetooth icon in the upper navigation bar of the pocket PCs is displayed
without the red stop icon, which would signal an interrupted connection.

Special cases

1. The pocket PC displays a list of all Bluetooth devices known to it. Select and click on the Leica
DISTO™ plus. The Bluetooth connection is then established, measured values can be transferred to
Excel and navigation is possible in the Excel table (refer to section 9: "Transferring measured values
to Excel“).

2. Excel is displayed and in the upper navigation bar, the Bluetooth-icon with the red stop icon is
displayed (screenshot 5): The program could not determine which COM-port to use for the Bluetooth
connection. The following selection is displayed:

Screenshot 5
The possible COM-ports are listed. Select a COM-port (the selected COM-port is displayed in blue,

e.g. COM5 in screenshot 5:). Confirm the selection by clicking on the "OK" button in the upper right
corner. The program now attempts to establish a connection via the selected COM-port. Should the
attempt fail, then the list is displayed again. Please select different COM-ports until the right one is
found. Then Pocket Excel is displayed and measured values can be transferred and navigation in the
Excel table is also possible (refer to section 9: "Transferring measured values to Excel“). The correct
COM-port is now saved in the program.

The correct COM-port can be determined directly through the Settings menu of the relevant pocket
PC. E.g. the HP iPAQ has this information saved under "Start | Settings | System | Bluetooth serial
connection | COM-port“. This information may be located elsewhere on other pocket PCs. For this
reason, the procedure described above may be the quicker.

PlusXL_Manual_1.0.7_en 8/15 28.01.2004

Leica DISTOTM PlusXL

8. Excel-Workbooks and Excel-Templates

After the Bluetooth connection has been established, the Excel document view is displayed. Select the
suitable workbook or template for the task ahead.

Screenshot 6 Screenshot 7

Open the PlusXL folder where the workbooks and templates will be automatically saved (screenshot. 6).
An overview of all saved files in the PlusXL folder is shown (workbooks and templates). To create a new

workbook (Excel table), click on the "New" button located on the lower left (screenshot 7).
Saved workbooks or template can be opened for processing. Templates are Excel tables specially prepared

for the same types of tasks. Templates can ether be created on the pocket PC or on the PC and then
transferred to the pocket PC with the ActiveSync program (further information can be found in the Pocket
Excel documentation). When using templates, make sure to save them as workbooks to prevent overwriting
the saved data (refer to section 11"Saving“).

PlusXL_Manual_1.0.7_en 9/15 28.01.2004

Leica DISTOTM PlusXL

Any of the 8 directio

nal keys can be used to navigate the cursor of the Excel field,

The measured value currently displayed on the DISTO is entered in the currently

(to B6) The direction is determined with the two arrows

9. Transferring measured values to Excel

As an example for the key functions of the Leica DISTOTM plus used in the following description, the Excel
template, Template1 which is transferred to the pocket PC during the installation of PlusXL will be used. B5 is
the cell selected (screenshot 8).

1. Measuring a distance with the Leica DISTOTM plus

2. Navigating in Excel

3. Transferring the measured value

Trigger a distance measurement

i.e. even diagonally.

selected Excel cell (B5), then the cursor in Excel jumps to the next cell on the
right (to C5) or downwards
(refer to section 10, "PlusXL™ / Pocket-Excel function buttons “).

Screenshot 8

4. Deleting a measured value

The content of the currently elected Excel cell (B5) is deleted.

PlusXL_Manual_1.0.7_en 10/15 28.01.2004

Leica DISTOTM PlusXL

These two buttons show the status of the B

luetooth connection. Only one of the two is visible at

up the Bluetooth connection“). Otherwise, an interrupted connection

Please keep in mind that the DISTO switches off automatically after a certain period of inactivity.

This button displays information about the program version and about the

This yellow Button in the middle of the navigation bar terminates

This refers to the right button in the navigation bar. Only one of these two buttons is

These two buttons are used to select whether after transferring data into an EXCEL cell, the

10. PlusXL™ / Pocket-Excel function buttons

Most of the functions are carried out on the DISTO. Only the 5 buttons at the top of navigation bar remain
(screenshot 9).

Screenshot 9

The Bluetooth connection is terminated, not Pocket Excel.

displayed at a time. The button belonging to Pocket Excel terminates, saves Excel
documents and the PlusXL information display.

curser then jumps one cell to the right or downward. The arrows show the current selection,
"Right" is the default setting.

a time. The icon on the right signals that no connection is established.
Clicking on the button during the "Inactive connection" phase, opens the selection list of COM

ports available to establish the connection for the first time.
(Refer to section 7: "Setting
can be reestablished.

In this case, before reestablishing the connection, Bluetooth has to be restarted on the DISTO
as described above.

software producer, TBM-Solutions Becker.

PlusXL_Manual_1.0.7_en 11/15 28.01.2004

Leica DISTOTM PlusXL

11. Saving

The yellow button in the middle of the navigation bar terminates PlusXL. When terminating Pocket Excel with
the white button (on the outer right side), the file is automatically saved under a default name. Files can also
be saved under user-defined names.

When using templates, it is recommended to save them as workbooks with user defined names in order to be
able to reuse the original template. Select from the Pocket Excel-menu "Tools | Workbook save as ...“
Screenshot 10 is displayed.

Screenshot 10
Enter a user-defined name and save the file as a "Pocket Excel-Workbook“.

12. Synchronisation between pocket PC and desktop PC

In section 8 "Excel-Workbooks and Excel-Template“ the PlusXL documents were located in the "PlusXL"
directory of Excel. The path on the pocket PC is "„My Device/My Documents/PlusXL“. When ActiveSync links
the pocket PC and desktop PC, all files and folders from "„My Documents“ are synchronised on desktop PC
with the corresponding directory. The directory is created when the link between the pocket PC and the
desktop PC is established. The name of the directory is composed of the name of the pocket PC and "My
Documents“. Should the pocket PC be e.g. called "Pocket_PC_1 “then the synchronised directory would be
named "Pocket_PC_1 My Documents“. ActiveSync creates a link of the synchronised directory on the
desktop of the PC. The sub directory "„PlusXL“ of the synchronised directory contains all the PlusXL
documents. If a new Excel template or workbook is created on the desktop PC to be used with PlusXL, then it
has to be copied into the "PlusXL documents" folder. At the next synchronisation, the new Excel template or
workbook will be available on the pocket PC.

PlusXL_Manual_1.0.7_en 12/15 28.01.2004

Leica DISTOTM PlusXL

Important: Please keep in mind, that for synchronisation the Excel workbooks and templates have to
be closed on the pocket PC (with the outer right button at the top). For detailed information, please refer
to the relevant section of the pocket PC manual.

WORKING WITH PlusXL ON THE PC

13. Working with the desktop version of PlusXL

Before starting PlusXL for the first time, the Bluetooth connection between the Leica DISTO™ plus and the
desktop PC has to be established. The procedure can be found in the documentation of the relevant
Bluetooth USB-adapter. As soon as the connection has been established, PlusXL can be started.

Switch on the DISTO; activate Bluetooth and switch into the 2nd function level . Detailed information is in
the Leica DISTOTM plus manual and in section 5, "Preparing the Leica DISTOTM plus to operate with PlusXL“.

Bluetooth must be activated on the desktop PC. The activation procedure differs between the various
Bluetooth USB-adapters. The specific procedure can be found in the documentation of the relevant Bluetooth
USB-adapter. Most Bluetooth USB-adapters flash blue when Bluetooth is active.

Important:

• Make sure the Bluetooth has been activated on both computers before starting PlusXL.

• Before the very first start of PlusXL, the Bluetooth connection has to be established manually.

After that, the connection is built up automatically between PlusXL and the activated Bluetooth.

During the installation of PlusXL, a link to the PlusXL program is automatically created on the desktop. Double
clicking on the created icon is one possibility of starting PlusXL (screenshot 11):

Screenshot 11

Alternatively, PlusXL can also be started from the Start menu (Screenshot 12):

Screenshot 12

When PlusXL is started, Microsoft Excel is called up. If Excel had already been started on the PC, then the
open Excel table is displayed; otherwise, an empty Excel table is displayed.

Attention: During the first start of PlusXL, it may take up to a minute to establish connection with
the Leica DISTOTM plus. The reason is that PlusXL first searches for the correct settings. Once they
have been found, they are saved and the next time PlusXL is started the connection is established
much quicker.

During the installation of PlusXL, Excel templates and workbooks are transferred to the PC; a link to the
PlusXL program directory where all of these Excel files are saved is created on the PC desktop with the name
"PlusXL Data“ (screenshot 13):

PlusXL_Manual_1.0.7_en 13/15 28.01.2004

Leica DISTOTM PlusXL

These files are accessible in Excel through the menu "Files | Open“ under "Desktop | PlusXL Data“
(screenshot 13):

Screenshot 13

Transferring measured values from the Leica DISTOTM plus to Excel follows the same procedure as with the
pocket PC (refer to section 9 „Transferring measured data to Excel“).

The PlusXL button is located in the taskbar below

Screenshot 14
Click on it to display the last measured value.

Screenshot 15
This arrow button (located on the lower left in screenshot 15) is used to select whether after transferring data

to an EXCEL cell, the curser then jumps one cell to the right or downwards. The arrow shows the current
selection. "Right" is the default setting.

The info button displays information about the program version and about the software producer, TBM­Solutions Becker.

PlusXL_Manual_1.0.7_en 14/15 28.01.2004

Leica DISTOTM PlusXL

The X button on the right terminates PlusXL. The Bluetooth connection between the desktop PC and the
Leica DISTOTM plus is interrupted in this case. Please keep in mind that Excel remains open and has to

be closed separately.

If Excel is terminated, so are PlusXL and the Bluetooth connection.

PlusXL_Manual_1.0.7_en 15/15 28.01.2004